Summary about Disease
Simple febrile seizures are seizures (convulsions) that occur in young children, usually between 6 months and 5 years old, and are triggered by a fever. These seizures are brief (lasting less than 15 minutes), generalized (involving the whole body), and do not recur within a 24-hour period. They are generally considered harmless and do not cause brain damage.
Symptoms
Loss of consciousness
Jerking or shaking movements of the arms and legs
Stiffening of the body
Eye rolling
Possible loss of bladder or bowel control
The seizure typically lasts less than 15 minutes.
Causes
Febrile seizures are caused by a rapid rise in body temperature, usually associated with an infection such as:
Viral infections (e.g., cold, flu, roseola)
Bacterial infections (e.g., ear infection)
Sometimes, vaccinations
Medicine Used
Fever-reducing medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help lower the fever.
Anti-seizure medication: Usually, anti-seizure medication is not prescribed for simple febrile seizures because they are brief and infrequent. In rare cases, if seizures are prolonged or complex, a doctor may prescribe a short-acting benzodiazepine (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam) to be administered during a seizure.
Is Communicable
Febrile seizures themselves are not communicable. However, the underlying infection causing the fever may be communicable.
Precautions
During a seizure:
Stay calm.
Place the child on their side to prevent choking.
Clear the area of any sharp or dangerous objects.
Do not put anything in the child's mouth.
Do not restrain the child's movements.
Time the seizure.
After a seizure:
Check the child's temperature.
Give fever-reducing medication if needed.
Contact your doctor to determine the cause of the fever and rule out other potential problems.
Preventing seizures:
Promptly treat fevers with appropriate medication. However, it's important to remember that preventing fevers may not always prevent febrile seizures.
How long does an outbreak last?
Febrile seizures are not outbreaks. They are single events triggered by a fever. The duration of the underlying illness causing the fever varies depending on the infection. The seizure itself lasts less than 15 minutes.
How is it diagnosed?
Medical history: The doctor will ask about the child's medical history, including any previous seizures or family history of seizures.
Physical exam: The doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of infection.
Neurological exam: The doctor may perform a neurological exam to assess the child's neurological function.
Tests: In some cases, the doctor may order tests to rule out other potential causes of the seizure, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) or blood tests. Usually these tests are not needed for simple febrile seizures.
Timeline of Symptoms
Fever: Usually precedes the seizure.
Seizure: Occurs suddenly and lasts less than 15 minutes.
Post-seizure: The child may be sleepy or confused for a short period after the seizure. The fever may persist depending on the underlying illness.
Important Considerations
Simple febrile seizures are generally harmless and do not cause long-term problems.
The risk of developing epilepsy after a simple febrile seizure is very low.
Parents should contact their doctor if their child has a febrile seizure, especially if it is the child's first seizure or if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
It is crucial to differentiate simple febrile seizures from complex febrile seizures, which have a higher risk of being associated with underlying neurological issues. Complex febrile seizures last longer than 15 minutes, are focal (affecting only one part of the body), or occur more than once in 24 hours.